This wonderful lemon-scented grass is a real delicacy. Essential in Thai and Vietnamese dishes and an excellent addition to soups, curries, sauces and fish dishes. Also used to make a refreshing tea and for perfume, oil and medicine. Germination can be slow. Height up to 1.5m (5ft).
Sow from late January to March on the surface of a good seed compost just covering the seed with a thin layer of compost or vermiculite. Germination takes 21-40 days at 20-25C (70-75F). Sealing in a polythene bag after sowing is helpful.
Keep well watered and give the occasional liquid feed. To over winter, lift in early autumn, pot up and grow through the winter in a greenhouse with a minimum winter temperature of 7C (45F). Alternatively grow permanently in 25-30cm (10-12in) container in a greenhouse, conservatory etc. Keep well watered throughout the summer, just moist through the winter.